What's happening
This bill directs the health commissioner to seek federal approval allowing undocumented immigrants to buy unsubsidized health insurance through New York's marketplace.
Why it matters
Expanding access to health insurance for undocumented immigrants could improve public health. by enabling more people to seek preventive and routine care, potentially reducing emergency room visits and overall healthcare costs.
Undocumented immigrants currently face significant barriers to obtaining health coverage. , leading to higher uninsured rates and worse health outcomes; this bill would create a legal pathway for them to purchase insurance with their own funds.
The bill could set a precedent for other states. considering similar measures, influencing national debates on immigration, healthcare access, and state-level flexibility under federal law.
Seeking federal waivers is a critical step because current federal rules prohibit undocumented immigrants from using state insurance exchanges. , so the bill's effectiveness depends on federal approval, highlighting tensions between state policy goals and federal restrictions.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Let Immigrants Buy Health Insurance
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Let Immigrants Buy Insurance
In Assembly Committee · Health · Sponsor Marcos Crespo
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1353
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 9, 2017
Introduced by Sen. ALCANTARA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to direct the commissioner of health to seek a waiver from the federal government in relation to authorizing undocumented immigrants to purchase unsubsidized health insurance through the New York state of health marketplace
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The commissioner of health is hereby directed to seek all federal waivers and other federal approvals from the United States department of health and human services or other appropriate federal department in order to authorize undocumented immigrants to purchase unsubsidized health insurance through the New York state of health marketplace.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06910-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to direct the commissioner of health to seek a waiver from the federal government in relation to authorizing undocumented immigrants to purchase unsubsidized health insurance through the New York state of health marketplace
Purpose or general idea of bill
Directs the commissioner of health to seek a waiver from the federal government in relation to authorizing undocumented immigrants to purchase unsubsidized health insurance through the New York state health marketplace.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1: The commissioner of health is hereby directed to seek all federal waivers and other federal approvals from the United States department of health and human services or other appropriate federal department in order to authorize undocumented immigrants to purchase unsubsidized health insurance through the New York State of health marketplace.
Section 2: This act shall take effect immediately.
Justification
As of last year, over 42 million immigrants were residing in the United States, accounting for 13 percent of the total population. Over 40% of the population of New York City is composed of immigrants, while 43% of its labor force is comprised of immigrants. In communities across our state, immigrants are establishing roots and becoming the fabric of our neighborhoods. Yet in light of all their contributions to the economy of our state (projected to be over $230 billion annually in NYS alone) immigrants are having difficulties navigating our health care system taking shape.
Unfortunately the Affordable Care Act (ACA) made it unlawful for undocumented immigrants to purchase health care insurance through the health benefit exchange. This is the case even if they are paying out of pocket and are not looking for a public subsidy.
The real consequence of ACA is to continue to force the uninsured to use the emergency room as their means for health care. This is an expensive option for our health care system. It also prevents this group of uninsured from seeking care for early stages of diseases that will turn chronic and expensive to treat later on.
This legislation is a practical approach to helping undocumented immigrants purchase affordable health insurance without any public subsidy and paid out of their savings and wages. By having NYS seek a waiver to the ACA ban; immigrants will be able to purchase affordable health care for themselves and their families.
There are over 4.2 million immigrants in New York state and almost 25% are undocumented and in need of access to health insurance. It is a basic human right that is being denied and actually made into a crime if undocumented immigrant purchases insurance through the exchange. This is counter intuitive and an assault on their dignities.
Legislative history
This bill is new legislation.
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.